5 Oct 2022 10:50

Moldovagas ready for booking gas transit via Ukraine on its own

CHISINAU. Oct 5 (Interfax) - Moldovagas has declared its readiness to book its gas requirements supplied by Gazprom via Ukraine on its own.

"Under the circumstances, JSC Moldovagaz declared its readiness to independently book and pay for additional capacities of natural gas transit via Ukraine, including on a daily basis. According to information published by the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine, there are available capacities of 15 million cubic meters per day at the Sudzha gas metering station," the Moldovan national gas operator said in a statement on its website on Wednesday.

Gazprom said earlier that Ukraine did not provide capacities for transiting larger amounts of gas to Moldova, so the supply would be limited to 5.7 million cubic meters from October 1, which is 30% less than the amount of gas needed by Moldova. The agreement with Moldovagaz requires that Gazprom book gas transit capacities from Naftogaz of Ukraine.

Gazprom also said on Tuesday it might stop supplying gas to Moldova unless current payments were made in due time. Gazprom said the supply might stop unless payments are made before October 20.

"JSC Moldovagaz is in constant contact with Russia's Gazprom regarding the continuous gas supply to Moldova and will do everything possible to pay for the current contractual obligations in due time, including with the government's assistance," Moldovagaz said.

It also noted that it offered a mechanism of old debt repayments to its shareholders, Gazprom (50% of the stock) and the Moldovan government (37% of the stock).

"However, the debt audit remains incomplete, which means this decision cannot be made and the matter is beyond the jurisdiction of company management," Moldovagaz said.

The company confirmed that "the gas transportation and distribution enterprises of Moldovagaz Group are ready to operate in emergency mode on the natural gas market in strict compliance with the law and the decisions of the central authorities."